Potato-planter.



No. 723,480. PATENTED MAR. 24 1903. P. s. MoWHORTER.

POTATO PLANTER.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 13, 1902.

' 5 SHEETS-SHEET 1- town 1 d zu.

H0 MODEL.

Witnesses PATENTED MAR. 24, 1903.

F. S. MGWHORTBR.

POTATO PLANTER.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 13: 1902.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

E0v MODEL wifneaaco N'q. 723,480. PATENTED MAR. 24, 1903.

F. s. MoWHORTER. POTATO PLANTER.

APPLICATION rmm JAN. is. 1902.

no MODEL. a snnms-snm'zm a.

0m 0 9 1 4 2 R A M D E T N E T. A .P RR BE TT m. HL ..W 0 MT 0 FF 0. 8 0O 2 7 m N APPLICATION FILED JAR. 13,'1902.'

ETS-SHEET 4.

H0 MODEL.

I anventoz, GQ

No. 723,480. PATBNTED MAR. 24, 1903. F. S. MGWHORTER.

POTATO PLANTER. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 13, 1902.

I N0 MODEL. 5 SHEETS-SHEET 5- I nnmnmunummum n mmmrmummmn NlTE mares FRANCIS s. MOWHORTER, O PHILAD LPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, assienoa T McWnoaTEa MANUFACTURING-COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF- N EW JERSEY.

PoTAT-o-PLANTaR.

srnoxrxcn'rron forming'paxt of-Letters Patent No. 723,480, dated March24, 1963.,

Application filed January 13, 1902. Serial No, 89A76. \No model.)

To all whom it may'conccrn:

Be it known that I, FRANCIS S. MoWHoR- TEE, a'citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Potato-Planters, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in potatorplanters; and it consists of cells which are primarily supplied with potatoes, meansfor primarily removing surplus potatoes, a device for impaling one of the same, means for forcibly impelling the impaling device to its work, a holding device for the potato while being impaled, means for overturning the cells and discharging the surplus pota toes, means for restoring the cells to their normal positions, an auxiliary hopper for re ceiving the surplus potatoes, means for reof the same, and other details of construction, as will be hereinafter set forth.

The several parts will be hereinafter specitied and the novel features of the invention pointed out in the claims that follow the same. V

Figure 1 represents aside elevation of a potatoplant-er embodying my invention. Fig. 2 represents a top or plan view thereof. Fig. 3 represents a rear view thereof. Fig. at represents a side elevation of the front portion of the machine detached. Fig. 5 represents a vertical section of another front portion of the machine. Fig. 6 represents a front view of a guiding device of certain parts of the machine. Figs. 7 and 8 represent end views of the potato-receiving cells of the machine. Fig- 9 represents a top view thereof. Fig. 10 represents an end view of the impaling'device. Fig. 11 represents a view of thet'riction mechanism of said device. of a portion of the marker-adjusting .mechanism. Fig. 13 represents a top View of a portion of the mechanism removed from the right hand of Fig. 2.

Similarletters and numerals of reference indicate corresponding partsin the figures.

Referring to the drawings, A designates the frameof the planter, on which is mounted the axle lot the wheels 2thereof.

B designates a hopper which is supported on the frame A and has at the base thereof the laterally-extending chute 3, the outlet end of which is over the cells C, which are to be supplied with potatoes from said hopper, said cells being formed of. pieces of metal or other suitable material having depressions 4 in the upper faces thereof, and, furthermore, pivoted on one side, as at 5, to the endless chain or apron 6, the latter passing around thesprocket-Whe'els 8 and 9, the shafts 10.

and 11 of which are mounted on the frame A. Power is communicated to said apron 6 by means of the sprocket-wheel 12 on the axle 1,the sprocket-chain 1 5,and the sprocketwheel 14 on the shaft 11.

C designates a toothed or fingered wheel which is located over the. cups or cells 0 near the outlet endof the chute 3, the same being employed for removing surplus potatoes primarily fed to said cells or cups. (See Fig. 13.)

C designates racks secured to the frame and having'the cells ride thereon, so as to shake the cells, and consequently agitate the potatoes therein, so as [0 be properly seated in the bottom thereof. ticalgroove 15, (see Fig. 8,) in which is freely fitted the guiding stein or bar 16 of the spear or piercer D, the latter being carried by the head 17 on the lower end of said stem, said spear being adapted to be raised and enter an opening 8 in the base ofthe depression of Fig. 12 represents a perspective view In each cell 0 is a verthe cell and afterward lowered'therefrom.

count of the gravity of its parts, 'I employ the spring 19, which occupies thebox 20 on the side of the cell and bears against thestem 16,

(see Figs, 9 and 11,) and thus causes friction ro-fto strikethe head 17, so as to raise the same,

" and thus'cause the spear D to pierce the potato, it being seen thatthe upper side of the beam 21 has anelevated shoulderor shoe 22 thereon, the same being adapted to bear against the under side of each cell, and thus depress the hammer end of said beam. A spring 23 is secured to said beam opposite to the hammenthe tendency of which is to raise said ham mer,it being evident that as the cells travel along, due to the motion of the endless apron 6, the shoulder 22 is engaged by one of the cells, (see Fig. 1,) thus lowering thehammer E, and when said cell clears said shoulder the latter is tripped, whereby the spring 23 in the cell in advance ofthe one just above referred to, so that the spear is driven into the potato from below, thus impaling the latterand preventing displacement of the same until the proper time for-its release. It is,

however, important to hold the potato as the;

by the spring F, it being noticed in Fig. 1'

that-as the cells travel with the'apron- (isaid' roller drops into each 'cell presented under it, its bearing-arm F yielding upwardly after the roller has performed-its operatiomso that the next cell may advance-without intc rference'of said roller.

have been removed fromlhe'apron 6 for purposesof clearness in properly perceivingother parts, which otherwise would be concealed or obscured. 4 1

At the. side of the apron 6 there is mounted on the frame A the taperingpiece 25, which is adapted to engage with the base of the cells, and thus raise the latter and overturn or'tip themin order to discharge the surplus number of potatoes. (See Fig. In .advance of said piece 25 is the tapering piece 25 ,"which is designed to, return "the overturned cells to their normal positions by ongaging with the fingers C'on the'couplingsof -'.the cells and apron 6. i On the frame adjacent to the fron tsprocketrv wheel 14 is the shoe 26, which is so disposedv that the 'feet 20 successively ride under-and;

are engaged by the same, thus lowering the, spears and relieving the potato of.- engage.

6'5 ment. I

Aside of the piece 25 is the. supplemental.

' hopper 27,".the bass smends title-l pi'edlby quickly raises said hammer and causes the latter to forcibly strike the foot otthe spear mounted on the oscillating arm E, which is It will be noticed that several'ofthe cells the reciprocating serrated bar or conyeyer2'8 for the return of the surplusjlpotatoes, said, hopper 27 opening into the portion 3" of the hopper proper. In order to'impart motion to' said conveyor, I employ the rod or bar 29 and; spring 30,;said rod beingconnected with-said conveyor 28 and having a shoulder 31, which is adapted to be engagedby the trundle orlzg. other toothed :Wheel 32,. which is mounted on" the axle 1, (see Figs. 1 and 2,) the free' end of saidrod beingfitted in the guide 33on' the; frame A. Thespring 301's connected with the] rod 29 and a fixed member of the frame, and sew thus, owingto said trundle-wheel and'spring, motions are imparted to the conveyor 28 in opposite'directions, it being noticed,more particnlarly in Figs. 1, 2, and 3,.that as thesur-- plus potatoes fall into the hopper 27 they are '85; impelled rearward by the action of the cou-' 'veyer, and so directed to the portion 3 of thehopper proper'in order to be resupplied to the cells (3. In order to agitate the surplus potatoes in the hopper 27' and assist in the -re- --turn m'o'tionthereof, I employ the toothed or fingered Wheel-34, which occ u piessaid hop per and is secured to the shaft 35, on which latter the toothed or fingered wheel 0 is also mounted, said shaft also. in the present case 95. having mounted on it the arm F which-carries the roller F, said shaft beingmounted on the'frame A and receiving power from the sprocket-wheel 36, chain 37 and sprocketwheel'38, the latter being carried by the shaft. loo

10, it being evident that the teeth or fingers of the wheel34 rotate in the-potatoes in.- the hopper 27 and assist in preventing clogging of the same. For primarily-agitating the potatoes in the chute 3J1 employ the ratchet-wheel 39, which is mounted on the end of the shaft 35, which passes through an opening X in said chute,

said 'openingbein'g enlarged in vertical directionto permit said chute to rise and fall to a no limited extent. The wheel 39 engages with the tripping-arm 40 on the side of the chute,

so .that'as said shaft rotates the ratchet first raisesthechute. and then allows it to drop,

causing an np-and-down motion to said chute. I15

An tip-and-down swinging motion is alsoimparted to said chute 3 by means ofthe bar 41,

which is connected at its rear end with said chute,'it being here noticed that the latter has a slightrotary motion on the shaft 35, and no the forward end ofsaid bar rests on the teeth of a ratchet-wheel-42, which is mounted on 'the shaft 11, the latter receiving motion from the axle I, as has. been stated, whereby as said ratchet-.wheel'rotates u'p'and down-mm r25 -,t-ions.a're ,,impartedtothe bar-41, and con's'e-f -.qu'eu'tly;t;he chute 3, thus shaking thelatter gand agitating its" conten ts.

Y At what maybe termed the front endjof,1

'- .the apron G I.are :mounted thedetaining-fi-m 1 o gersf 43;.and 44, "located one above the otherv and ewli having 'aeweighted limb45, said finjfgers'.beingg -located; one above'the other, so as rg $uc es si.ie y engage a potato about. cogdrop relieved of-the spear thereof the said cell'con;

tinues its motion, and as it begins tooverturn with the apron 6 on the wheel 9 the'finger 43 gently presses slightly on the potato as the latter emerges from the cell, when the finger 44 comes under said potato and somewhat further retards the, dropping of the same; butsthe potato then fully drops,' which is accomplished without severity or injury. Mounted below said fingers is the pocketed wheel 47, which is adapted to receive the potatoes dropped from the cells. Below said wheel 47 is an endless apron with partitions 48 thereon at intervals, forming a conveyer to which the potatoes are directed after leaving the wheel 47, said conveyer traveling in part in a casing 49, which is open at its bottom, it being noticed that said wheel .47 is geared over from the shaft 11 and also with the upper wheel 50, around which the conveyer 48 travels, the casing 49 being hung on the shaft 51 of said wheel 50. The lower wheel 52 for said conveyor is also mounted on said casing 49.

down by the latter and dropped at the'open bottom of the casing and so deposited uniform] y and lightly on the ground. (See Fig. 5.)

It will be seen that when the apparatus is in operation the wheels 2 impart motion to.

that each cell is provided with a head 46, I

against which one of the potatoes is adapted to bear,.and thus be prevented from being pushed out of the cell or cup by the back action of the fingers or teeth of the wheel Q. It will be observed that the potatoes are cut into pieces, as usual, and the cells Care made large enough to safely carry the largest pieces that ever may be used for planting, it being seen that if a number of smaller pieces remain in the cells after passing the fingered wheel 0' the spear will secure and retain the piece in the bottom of the cell, while the oth-' ers are overturned into the supplemental hopper 27.- This potato which thus remains is then impaled and the cells or cups continue their forward motion, when any potatoes that may remain loose in the cells or cups are overturned into the supplemental hopper27. The impaled potato is then released of the spear and overturnedagainst the fingers 43 and 44 and falling from thence is received in the wheel 47, from whence it is directed into the conveyor 48 and finally discharged from the latter. "As the bottom of'the casing 49 is close to the ground, the potatoes are dropped one after the other upon the ground without 'bers thereof.

When the potatoes are supplied to the conveyer, they are carried liability to spring up, thus causing regularity in the deposit of thepotatoes.

- I In order to render the apparatusinoperative, the shaft 11 has a clutch 53 thereon. The

collar54 of one member thereof is engaged by the upper limb of the'leve'r 55, the lower limb whereof is curved or deflected, as at 56, and

adapted to be engaged by one of the beams G, which are pivoted to the hanger 57 and retained by'the chains and rods 58 and may be raised by the latter, said chains being connected with the lever H, which'is mounted on the shafts of the frame or running-gear, it being seen that when said lever is properly operated the beams G are raised, and the one adjacent to the lever 55 presses against the limb 56 thereof, so as to open the clutch 53,- thus stopping rotation of the shaft 1 1. When the beam is lowered, the lever is released, and the spring 58 of the clutch closes the mem- To said lever H is pivotally attached the connecting rod or bar59, which is also-pivotally attached to the casing 49 of the conveyer 48, and thus the latter may be raised,

so as to clear stones and other obstructions,

and the apparatus simultaneously stopped. The lever H is also connected by a chain and rod 60 with the pivotal carrier J of the furrower-frame, whereby the latter may be raised when not required for use and lowered into operative position, said furrowers being placed one in front of the other and at an angle to the line of draft and the concaves facing in opposite directions. This causes said furrowers to cut the ground to advantage, and the clean face of each furrower allows the earth to fiow free and even pass the center of the furrowers, thus also brightening all ofthe faces of the furrowers, while furrowers of small size may be used. I

In order to regulate the degree of penetration of the furrowers, I employ the shoe 62, which, being pivoted at one end to the carrier J, is connected at the other end with the hanger 63, which is provided with a series of openings to receive the bolt 64, which is adapted to pass through either of said openings into said carrier, and thus provide for raising and lowering said hanger, and consequently the shoe. 1

K designates markers, whose arms are mounted on the rising and falling beams G, the axial portions of said arms having limbs 66, which when raised may be engaged by hangers 67 on the frame A, thus depressing said limbs and elevating the markers.

68, Fig. 12, represents'a horizontally-arranged cross-head, which is connected by a vertical pivotto the adjacentportion of the frame A'and has attached to it the hand-lever 69, so thatsaid head may be turned to 'sition. (See Figs.-3an'd 12.)

&

Mounted on hangers 70,- which are bolted or otherwise secured to the beam G, are the coverers 7.1, which, as is evident, will be raised when said beams are elevated, and so withdrawn from the ground when it is desired to render the same inoperative.

On the frame is the hanger 71*, which passes through the beam G and is provided with a series of openings to receive a suitable key or pin in order to adjust the degree or depth of penetration of the coverers 71.

In order to guide the connection 59 of the lever Hand casing 49 and the shoe-carrier J, I-employ the slotted ha'nge'r72, through which said connection and carrier f reely'pass. .(See FigsJl, 4, and 6.) 1 j Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by 'Letters Patent, is

'1. In a potato-planter, a potato-receiving cell, means for overturning said cell, a finger mounted on a rotary'axis adapted to sweep over -said cell and a returning-hopper. 2. Ina potato-planter, a hopper, a potato receiving cell, a finger mounted on a rotary axis and adapted to sweep over said cell, a

returning-hopper and means for agitating the latter.

I 3. In a potato-planter, a potato-receiving a vertical'recess in which said stem is freely fittedand adapted toslide.

In a'potato-planter, a potato-receiving cell, in combination with an impalingdevice,

means for advancing the latter into said cell,

a foot on said device, anda shoe on the frame of -the planter, said shoe being adapted to engage said foot and withdraw said device from said 'cell. v

6. Ina potato-planter, a potato-receiving cell, a device for impaling' a potato therein,

' said cell having a memberon its side provided 7. 'In apotato p lantjer, a potato-receiving "cellh'aving an impalingdevice therein, a carrier for said device','"n1eans for creating fric-l tion' on said carrier for-holding the impaling device in its set position and for preventingsaid device from losing its hold on a lightly {pierced potato.

' 8.- Ina ,pota-to-planten'a potato-receiving cell, an impaling device therefor, an arm having a hammer-head adapted to strikesajd device, a' shoulder on said arni adapted" to be engaged byfthfe cell to .th'row' back said arm,

and a spring connected with saidgarm and a fixed member for forcibly impelling said arm paling devic v 9. In a potato-planter, a potato-receiving cell, means for advancing said cell, an impaland consequantly its head against-said im-,

ing device, and a pressure device, the latter being adapted toenter said cell above said impaling device and a yielding arm carrying said device. w

10. In a potato-planter, a cell, and a roller adapted to enter the same, a rising and fall-.

which is adapted to engage the base of said cell to overturn the latter, a finger, such as CA', on the connection of said cell with said carrier and a tapering piece, such as 25 in advanceof said tapering piece25 adapted to engage said finger to-return saidcell-to its normal position.

' l2. Ina potato-planter, a potato-receiving cell, a carrier therefor,' and a piece on the frame adapted to engage said cell to raise the same and laterally overturn it.

13. In a potato-planter, a potato-receiving ,cell,-a carrier therefor, a piece on the frame adapted to engage said cell to'raise the same and laterally'overturn it, and a secondary.

piece'adapt'ed to engage a member of the cell to restorethe latter from itsovertnrned to its normal position.

14. In a potato-planter, a potato-receiving:

cell, a' carrying-apron therefor, and a grooved bar on the frame to receive a member of said cell and sustainthe same. a I

15. ln-apotato-planter, a main hopper, a potato-receiving cell adapted to be laterally overturned, a supplemental hopper adjacent to said cell adapted to communicate with the main hopper, and an agitator forsaid supple-' mental hopper. I 16. In a potato planter, a supplemental hopper for receiving surplus potatoes, 'a shaking device therein, a bar connected with said device and provided with a shoulder, atripping-wheel adapted to engage s'aid shoulder and advance said bar, andaspring connected 1 with said bar and a fixed member. to return said baa,

17.. Ina potato-planter, a main hopper,

potato-receiving cell, a carrier therefor, a supplemental-i hopper in communication there- I with and adapted to receive the surplus 'po tatoe's from said cell, and a fin'gered wheel adapted to rotate in said supplemental hopper A i c 18. In a potato-planter, 'a hopper, ai mov-- able chute in communication therewith, an arm on'said chute, and means for raisingsaid arm and allowing the-same to drop in -.com

bination with a cell and a traveling carrier therefor. n w

"e e'ageo Y 5 -19, ,In a' potatoeplhntei, a. hopper, a-swingviceconsi'stingof a partitioned apiion, a! casing chute in communication therewith, said ingcontaining the sameandpivotally mountjchnte having elongated slots, a shaft passing ed on the frame of the planter, a, lever on said through; said slots, a ratchet on said shaft, fra'me,and:a. connection for-said lever and 3 and; trippingrm connected withseid chute casing whereby the latter may" be' 'aised and 'and engaging the teeth of said hatchet. lowered.

20. :In'a potato-planter, a potato-receiving 324. A potato-planter' provided with cover-' c b 1l,-an"endles s carrying device therefor, and ers, va, rising and falling beam carrying the said-carrier adjacent to the cell. 'of theplz'gntegthe same edjnstably engaging :a graviteting' detaining-finger at the front of same,and hangers connected with the frame 5.

. 21; 'ln'a'potato-planter, e-potet receivi'ngsaid beam, for adj nstingthe depth of pene- '-"cell, an endless; carrier therefor, a. pocketed tration of said covere rs. Y

.wheel below the front end of saidcarrier, and 25. In'a potato-planter, alever, a f nrrower,

means for rotatingsaidwheel in combination a. shoe, a head carrying said furrower "and '40 o withia gr vita'ting detaining finger interme shoe, a. coverer, a beam carrying the 1t1tter ,'ax idiate ofsald cell and wheel.- connection for said lever with said carrier I, 22." In.a potato-planter, a. dischefing deand beam, and a, hanger connected with the -mnn-ication' with a'feeding device above, and to 'freel y; pass. having an outlet at bottom near the ground said. casing; being suspended. from an axis vice consisting of a partitioned apron, a casframe of the planter and provided with aver ing contamingth'e same, and means for opticai slotin which said carrier-and a member. 5 crating said apron, said casing being in comof the connection of said beam are adapted FRANCIS s. MGWILIOR'FERQ 'wherehyit may-beraisedandloweredthereon v Witnesses:

'fo -pnrpose's of adjnstment. J 01m A. YWIEDERSHEIM;

23. -In'e potato-p1anter;' a discharging def C.D..MCVAY. 

